Requesting Amputation?

kyle mccloud

kyle mccloud

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Quick breakdown for folks, I sustained a tib/fib ankle fracture in Oct 2011, emergency surgery was done to fix things. A year later, many stints in therapy and a second surgery to repair tendons and ligaments, I am still in constant pain and my ankle doesn't work as it should. Ortho told me the only other thing he can think of doing is fusing the joint, my question that I intend to ask him next week is, can I just request below the knee amputation? He's already told me that I'm going to be in pain and will never likely be as activr again anyway. Thoughts?
 
Amputation of an intact limb (albeit with tendon/ligament and pain issues) is a pretty drastic move. If it were me, I would try everything I could before I even considered amputating a limb. Is it the pain that is pushing you to consider this? Even if they could do some sort of partial nerve block or removal that leads to reduced mobility, you would still have the limb. I had no idea your issue was to this point, I wish you the best and hope things get better for you. From one "highlander" to another.;)
 
Following my 2nd surgery back in Nov 2012, the doc told me that the only other thing tha he could do is fuse the ankle...Before my injury, I was playing rugby every weekend, long distance cycling, and able to run around with my two young sons...I have been unable to do any of that for over a year, my ankle is always in pain, stiff, and has caused my arch to drop enough that the orthotics guy was even taken back when I went in for a fitting. I'm only 29 years old and am facing a long life of not being able to enjoy physical activities. I've been reading a lot of stories of vastly improved quality of life for patients who opt for bna.
 
I feel you, you are in a tough spot. Keep exhausting all you options before making such a critical decision, I hope whatever you choose improves your quality of life. I'm pretty young myself, and I know what you mean about the inability to do the physical things that you used to or should be able to at your age. All we can do is keep trying to make lemonade out of the lemons.;)
 
One of the chief problems with these chronic is the depression it causes. It was/is really hard to deal with. We go from being in top physical condition, to having a disability, or being in pain. This causes a lot of conflict and gives us a lot to think about. Sometimes it causes us to think about short term solutions to long term problems. Your idea of having an amputation is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. I hope you consider doing some counseling and talk through this before jumping in and doing something that is final. Chronic pain is not just a physical problem, but just as much a mental challenge as well.

Look at all your options and think things through.

Joe
 
my csm did it when he got hit in the ghan christmas 2010 came back and actually did just fine. He got shot in the ankle so he was pretty much in the same spot! I personally think he came out on the better end of it and kept going on with his career. He took over the wtb at campbell. Its not an easy choice but the pain i understand brother.
 
I was deployed and supporting 2/327 NO SLACK when I got blown up in May 2008.

My left foot and ankle sustained multiple fractures and was held together with lots of screws and plates.

Over the next two and a half years I had a dozen surgeries on the foot/ankle including a sub-talar fusion in a attempt to provide me with a foot/ankle that would allow me to stay active (long distance cycling, hiking, etc.).

Nothing worked and in Oct 2010 they performed a below the knee amputation on my left leg.

Best thing ever, I'm no longer on pain meds, I can stand for hours without pain, the prosthetic foot is adjusted so that I walk normally with no limp, etc.

In my case the decision was an easy one, my doctor had listed amputation as an option many times throughout my recovery.

A friend was facing the situation you face and he said that he asked himself if he would rather be an amputee or a cripple...he had his leg amputated and is a mountaineer/ice-climber now.
 
frosty, thanks for your input...The thoight was initially put i to my head months ago by an EOD officer I work with who had a buddy in a similar spot as myself. I am of the same thought process as your friend..I am tired of being in this state. I appreciate everybody's input here, I've seen and read so many positive stories regarding life after amputation and so many horror stories regarding fusion.
 
Well crap, Ortho can't get me in until the middle of march, now I'm affraid my current MEB package is going to be sent off before I can talk to him regarding this option of treatment...
 
No worries there, I started my meb, had surgery, recovered, restarted meb from scratch. Talk to the doc, find out his opinion, get a second opinion either way and tell your doc that.
 
That's good to hear, luckily my wife works in a civilian ortho office..So I'm gonna have her slip one of the docs my case folder to see what they think.
 
Well, looks like due to budget cuts the only 2nd opinion they'll let me have is with another Ortho doc in the same Naval Hospital as the one who did my last surgery. I see both docs a week apart, so here's hoping I can get this fixed, I have been waking up with some crazy shooting pains the past few weeks.
 
kyle mccloud said:
Well, looks like due to budget cuts the only 2nd opinion they'll let me have is with another Ortho doc in the same Naval Hospital as the one who did my last surgery. I see both docs a week apart, so here's hoping I can get this fixed, I have been waking up with some crazy shooting pains the past few weeks.
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I've been on the amputee (below knee) side of the house for 7 years now and have no major complaints. With today's technology and advancements in prosthetics, you can maintain as active as a lifestyle as you had prior to your injury. You'll have days that are a little more painful than others, but it now becomes a part of your life, besides, it's nothing good ole Aleve can't fix ;)
We had a few guys opt for amputation of the lower limb after their quality of life suffered with having a fuzed ankle, since that time, they haven't looked back and were glad they made the decision. Whatever route you decide/decided, best wishes to you and your family.
 
Thanks Chuck, Ortho refuses to let me go that route, or any route other than just dealing with my ankle the way it is...It's pretty frustrating right now, guess I'll just play the wait and see game with my PEB, and see if down the line the VA will work with me. Not the resolution I was hoping for at this point in my life, but I'm really out of steam trying to fight with Navy medical.
 
kyle mccloud said:
Thanks Chuck, Ortho refuses to let me go that route, or any route other than just dealing with my ankle the way it is...It's pretty frustrating right now, guess I'll just play the wait and see game with my PEB, and see if down the line the VA will work with me. Not the resolution I was hoping for at this point in my life, but I'm really out of steam trying to fight with Navy medical.
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No worries...it's all good!:)

I pray that your medical condition is resolved as swifty as feasible so that your quality of life significantly improves, too.

Thus, stay the course, and remain strong my brother!

Best Wishes!
 
kyle mccloud said:
Thanks Chuck, Ortho refuses to let me go that route, or any route other than just dealing with my ankle the way it is...It's pretty frustrating right now, guess I'll just play the wait and see game with my PEB, and see if down the line the VA will work with me. Not the resolution I was hoping for at this point in my life, but I'm really out of steam trying to fight with Navy medical.
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Kind of shocked to hear that you're getting railroaded with choosing that option. I'd figure if the patient has come to a decision that would enhance their QOL, they would accommodate. Then again, maybe they're hopeful and not ruling out a chance for full recovery, which has been the case on a few that I know. Are you currently at a major treatment facility (ie Bethesda) or going to local base hospital? Thinking you may have an opportunity to seek another opinion, say from the Army side of the house. I hear ya on the Navy medical folks, I had all my ops done with Army docs, even though I'm in the Marines. I'm just now starting my paperwork for medical retirement and needless to say, I question everything I hear when it comes from the naval side, still a disconnect happening within the processing side of paperwork.
 
I'm working through Balboa here in San Diego. I attempted to get a 2nd opinion out in town but my PCM just made me go to another doc in the same ortho clinic here, both Navy docs are saying it's too soon for me to jump to what they deem radical solutions being as I'm "only" 4 months postop from my 2nd surgery. I quote the only because that's what the same group told me a year ago when I complained about my pain while they waited a year to actually go in an attempt to repair all the tendons and ligaments. I understand these fellas are experts in thier crafts and are overloaded with cases, but I also wish they would take a few minutes to actually listen when we come in with complaints.

My case is in DC now, the JAG told me before it went that there was next to no chance that I'd hit the magic 30% for retirement, which is fine by me. I'm just ready to start my new life the best I can with my busted wheel at this point.
 
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